The next morning, Gekko Chizan set out with his wife Pakura, bringing along three little followers carrying their luggage.
"Sensei, why do you have so much luggage???"
"Six big trunks??"
Obito was carrying two trunks in his hands and one on his back, his whole face the color of an overripe eggplant.
So heavy. Seriously heavy.
Kakashi was in the same situation—two trunks in his hands, one on his back. Only Rin had nothing to carry. After all, she was the medical-nin of the team and also a girl. Naturally, Gekko Chizan wouldn't let her carry the load.
"You don't understand. I have high hopes for you and Kakashi. You two are going to be the backbone of the village in the future!"
"Training is something that must never stop."
Gekko Chizan fanned himself with a folding fan, smiling at his two disciples.
What training? He just had too much luggage, that's all.
After all, he wasn't going on a mission—he was going on a trip.
What was there to worry about in Takigakure? It was practically half his turf already.
...
Land of Waterfalls, Takigakure.
Yahiko was in a meeting with a group of people.
In just one short year, relying on his own strength, Yahiko had finally taken root in Takigakure and had even become one of the key jōnin pillars of the village.
Now, with the news that Konoha would be arriving, Takigakure's leadership took the matter very seriously.
After all, during this Third Great Ninja War, Konoha hadn't suffered any significant blows. On the contrary, they had stolen the spotlight more than once.
"Konoha invited us to participate in the Chūnin Exams together last time… what, five years ago? And now, in the middle of the war, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, is making a big show of inviting the surrounding shinobi villages to join the exams. Heh… that old man sure is feeling confident."
"So, this time for the Chūnin Exams, should we send our own genin to participate?"
A somewhat aged but sharp-eyed middle-aged man spoke slowly.
This was Takigakure's current village head, Saibon, also recognized as the village's strongest shinobi.
Even Yahiko had to admit the old man's strength. His mastery of Wind Release ninjutsu was unmatched—he was someone who had taken a single elemental style to its absolute peak.
"The war is in a quiet phase right now, and our Takigakure never participates in wars anyway. There's no harm in sending people to the exams."
"After all, Konoha's overall strength hasn't diminished, and their new rising powerhouses are even more formidable."
"Building ties with them can only benefit us."
This came from another elder, clearly one of the council.
Saibon nodded slightly, then looked at the other representatives present.
One after another, they voiced their agreement.
Finally, his gaze landed on Yahiko.
"Yahiko, what do you think?"
Yahiko nodded as well but expressed a different opinion.
"Village head, I agree with sending people to Konoha for the Chūnin Exams, but my perspective is a bit different."
"The war hasn't truly ended—it's only paused. Our Takigakure might avoid direct involvement, but for shinobi to grow, we can't stay isolated forever."
"Leaving the village, learning from others, competing with outsiders—this is one of the best ways to strengthen our forces."
"Peace is beautiful, yes. But if we want to protect peace, we can't afford to abandon strength."
Thanks to Gekko Chizan's occasional indoctrination, Yahiko's views on peace had already shifted.
As he said, strength was essential if one wished to protect peace.
Saibon's eyes lit up, clearly impressed by Yahiko's words.
"Well said. Yahiko may have only come to our Takigakure recently, but his contributions this past year are plain for all to see."
"Then I'll leave it to you to receive Konoha's visitors."
"Let them witness the strength of our Takigakure shinobi."
The meeting ended, and Yahiko returned to his residence.
Konan and Akashige came out to greet him.
"Konoha's shinobi will be arriving soon. I'll be there to welcome them. Konan, you come with me."
"Mm. Tell Yugito as well—she'll be participating in the Chūnin Exams."
Yahiko's words left Konan momentarily stunned.
Yugito in the Chūnin Exams?
"Isn't it too soon? How old is she now?"
"It's not too soon. She may be young, but her strength is already well recognized."
Yahiko's eyes gleamed with confidence.
He knew Yugito's abilities well—her uncanny close-range combat combined with her tracking Fire Release made her a match for any ordinary chūnin.
"Alright… then who will lead the team to Konoha?"
"Who's going?"
Yahiko looked at Konan and smiled slightly.
"You will."
"You lead the team. With Yugito alongside you, I'm sure Chizan will be very pleased."
At the mention of Gekko Chizan, all three of them smiled.
Their current success in Takigakure owed much to his help.
But this was only the beginning.
One day, they would return to Amegakure and save it.
"Alright. I'll go talk to Yugito."
"Tell her to prepare."
Since leaving Amegakure, Konan had become more cheerful.
She actually looked forward to leaving the village now—especially with Yugito by her side.
...
At the same time, in Iwagakure.
"Damn it! A whole year! We've been searching for an entire year, and you still haven't found him?"
"Boom!"
The unfortunate table shattered into splinters with a loud crash.
"Tsuchikage-sama, does Uchiha Madara really exist?"
"Could this all be a trick by the enemy?"
Mohiru stood nearby, frowning deeply.
All year long, because of this Uchiha Madara, Iwagakure had been on edge, nerves strung taut like bowstrings.
On top of that, plagues of snakes and insects had plagued the land, leaving the whole village exhausted.
"Hmph. No mistake—it's him."
"According to reports, the Third Mizukage and the Third Kazekage vanished at the same time. I suspect they're already dead."
"To take out two Kage in such a short time—no one but him could have done it!"
Ōnoki's face was dark as thunder.
He knew Madara's power all too well—that suffocating terror was burned into his memory even now.
But he couldn't help but wonder.
From the Third Kazekage to the Third Mizukage… that was quite a leap.
What was Uchiha Madara really planning?
"Tsuchikage-sama, latest intelligence: Konoha has sent invitations to surrounding shinobi villages for the Chūnin Exams."
"They plan to hold a new round this year."
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the office.
It was Iwagakure's special jōnin.
At the news, the veins on Ōnoki's forehead bulged.
"That damned Sarutobi Hiruzen! Completely ignoring us!"
"The war has only quieted down—it hasn't ended! And he dares to hold Chūnin Exams now?"
"He's driving me mad!"
Rage exploded out of the Third Tsuchikage like a storm.
The entire office sweltered with his fury.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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